BETTER OUTLOOK.

Grey River Argus, 23 February 1927, Page 3

BETTER OUTLOOK.

IN SOUTH CHINA. Hankow Agreement. SIR A. CHAMBERLAIN EXPOUNDS POSITION. LONDON, February 21. In the House of Commons, Sir Austen Chamberlain, replying to a series of questions relating to China, said that Britain’s aim was to negotiate treaties on a basis leading ultimately to complete equality and reciprocity. There would be a new administrative body at Hankow, which would be modelled on the existing one, and would consist both of Chinese and British, the Chinese having the casting vote. In this respect it would be a similar body to that at Kiukiang. He had no definite news what arrangements the Peking Government was making to collect the Customs, but the Cantonese disputed the Peking Government’s right to exercise the authority belonging to a central Government. Britain ’s recent proposals to China provided that the Britons there would be liable to regular Chinese taxation, not involving dis crimination against British subjects and goods, as was, in fact, imposed upon Chinese citizens throughout China.

Dealing with the position in and around Shangfihai, he said: The latest reports show that General Sun Chuan Fang’s troops are evacuating Hang chow, but at present there is no confirmation that the Cantonese have occupied that city. He continued: It was believed that General Sun Chuan Fang intended to occupy a defensive position based on Hashing, fifty-five miles from Shanghai. At Shanghai a general strike, involving the post office, the essential services, and the cotton mills began on February 19th. This movement was reported to be spreading, but at present there was little disorder. He was sat-

isfied that British lives and property would be sufficiently protected in all the circumstances which were to be ■-(insi<lered within the bounds of possi Dili tv.

In a later statement Sir Austen Chamberlain outlined the terms of the Hankow agreement, in which connection Air Chen wrote to Air O ’Alalley. intimating that the promulgating of

certain regulations, of the terms- of which the British Foreign Office was nt present not aware. Air O’Alalley

had replied, assuring Air Chen that Britain would do all in her power to eomplement and assure the successful operation of the scheme, adding that so far as British authorities were conuorned, Chinese citizens would enjoy the same rights as British subjects in tlie area. Air Chen had replied that Hie Chinese authorities, on their part, would do the same, and that there would be no discrimination against British interests in the districts. Air Chon proceeded to make a lengthy declaration concerning the settlement of outstanding questions with the foreign powers by negotiating, and agreement. This implicitly applied, and was intended to apply, to the changes in the

status of the concessions and the international settlements, and it necessarily meant that the Nationalist Government’s policy was not to use force, or to countenance its use; but the Nationalists laid it down that these changes

were of such vital importance that no local, or other, Chinese authorities except the Nationalist Government can negotiate with foreign powers in respect there! o. Air O’Alalley, in his reply, taking note of the foregoing, especially the final clause, said His Alajesty’s Government cannot bind itself to refuse to enter into negotiations with Chinese officials in any part o China in regard to matters arising in the areas where such officials are actually exercising de facto authority.

Sir A. Chamberlain said he was not pertain whether this was embodied i a letter, or in declaration. Air Chen had earlier announced that the modification of the original plan for the concentrating of British forces at Shanghai which was announced by himself (Sir A. Chamberlain) was regarded by the Nationalist Government as a concession which made it possible to sign the Hankow agreement. Air Chen had added that as this is without legal justification, the Nationalist Government protested against the landing and the trespass of the British troops at Shanghai, even for the strictly limited purpose state 1 by the speaker (Air Chamberlain). Air Chen had further declared that the Hankow settlement was not intended to serve as a precedent for the future status of any British or other concession. Sir Austen Chamberlain said he haJ instructed Mr O’Alalley to make it clear to Mr Chen that Britain reserved full power to dispose of her troops a - may be necessary for the protection of British lives at Shanghai. Mr Clyncs thanked Sir Austen Cham bcrlain for his statement, and welcomed the announcement that the outstanding questions would be settled by‘negotiation.

Air Lloyd George offered his warmest congratulations, and he asked whether the negotiations had been opened either with Peking, or with the local authorities, in respect to the Shanghai Concession.

Sir A. Chamberlain said that negotiations were opened with the Peking Government, to whom Sir AL Lampson had made a declaration similar to that made to Chen, at the same time reserving the right to negotiate with the de facto authorities in any part of China. We could not deal with the Shanghai International Settlement in the same way as we could the concessions belonging to us. Air E. Thurtle asked: °AVill flic Government suggest io the other Powers that they appoint plenary representatives to consider what step might be taken in case certain eventualities arise?” Sir A. Chamberlain replied: “Thfj loss said about eventualities which wa hope may not aris«. the better!”-